Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his military's course of action in the Gaza Strip, which has been internationally criticized, while condemning Israel's critics in a much-awaited speech at the United Nations on Friday.

Reservists and hostage families condemn Netanyahu's UN speech plan, calling the mission life-threatening and criticizing its real objective. Soldiers serving in the Gaza Strip and their parents have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of lying about a controversial plan to broadcast his UN General Assembly speech to Gaza residents.

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office said it ordered loudspeakers to be set up on the Israeli side of the border in a manner that the speech is heard by the Gaza Strip residents

The Israeli prime minister was met by a mass walkout of delegates as he began his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

A Palestinian state would be “national suicide” for Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, but many of the diplomats and leaders at the assembly boycotted his remarks.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel struck houses and tents in central and southern Gaza Thursday, crushing families inside and killing at least 17 people, including 10 children and three women, local health officials said, as international pressure for a ceasefire continued to grow.

Israel's military on Friday continued an assault on Gaza City in nation's new ground offensive as Israeli Prime Minister addressed United Nations in New York.